Medical simulations improve outcomes

Health practitioners work hard to provide great care. They are trained to the highest levels of technical expertise. However, errors in communication and teamwork have long been cited as a leading cause of adverse events (Dec. 3 Eagle). In traditional health care, opportunities to train together across professions are rarely available for most students or practitioners.

Current methods for health care education must be innovatively updated. What’s missing are compellingly real learning experiences for interprofessional health care teams in simulated environments that include patients and families, but where no patient is ever at risk.

For three years, HealthSim United, a nonprofit organization based in Wichita, has been working to create immersive learning opportunities that advance health care safety through the use of simulation. Because health care simulation is a relatively new, significantly expensive and labor-intensive learning modality, HealthSim United is building a network of relationships among many of the region’s health care organizations and all area health professions schools that maximizes available resources and expertise. The goal is to make health care simulation a new standard in our region, at world-class levels of excellence.

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By working together in these and other transformational ways, Wichita and surrounding communities can become a national leader in increased health care quality and lower costs, and a model of excellence throughout the world.

MIKE SHEPHERD

Operations director

HealthSim United

Wichita

More like Heineman

I read about Gov. Sam Brownback’s lack of transparency in not releasing the names of applicants to the Kansas Court of Appeals and the Saline County Commission (Dec. 16 Now Consider This).

Recently, I talked to Nebraska Gov. Dave Heineman, who is leaving office in January because of term limits. Having lived on the Kansas-Nebraska state line, I have paid a good deal of attention to news in both states. Furthermore, I think that Heineman could teach Brownback a thing or two about successful statesmanship. Heineman is kind, courteous and always looking for middle ground. Most of all, he believes in transparency.

Heineman has a good motto: We don’t spend money we don’t have. By contrast, Brownback tries a risky “experiment” that has been an economic disaster for Kansas. It may take years to correct Brownback’s fiscal blunders.

I only wish Heineman had been on the Kansas ballot this past November.

JAMES A. MARPLES

Esbon

Different beliefs

Regarding “War on Christmas” (Dec. 16 Letters to the Editor): Plymouth (or Plimouth Colony) was settled by the Pilgrims. The Puritans settled Boston (or Massachusetts Bay Colony). The two groups were very different in their religious beliefs and the reasons for coming to the New World.

STEVEN TUCK

Wichita

Keep cats inside

God made coyotes to control other small animals – rats, rabbits, mice, etc. (“Beware of coyotes,” Dec. 13 Letters to the Editor). A cat qualifies as a small animal in the eyes of a coyote.

How many kids have been bitten by coyotes versus by neighborhood dogs? Domestic cats belong in the house, instead of leaving their feces in neighborhood gardens and killing smaller animals. They don’t need to forage for their food.

DAVID KLINGENBERG

Wichita

A must-see show

Having worked in New York City for a number of years, I was fortunate to see some of the biggest stage hits that performed for weeks and even months. “A Christmas Carol” at the huge, beautiful Scottish Rite Center in Wichita is marvelous. The music, lighting, scenery and voices are professional. It ranks with what I experienced in New York City.

Shaun-Michael Morse as Scrooge, Karla Burns as the Ghost of Christmas Present, Cary Hesse as the Ghost of Christmas Past and the rest of the cast present a must-see show.

Thanks also to Kathy Page Hauptman and the entire staff of the Forum Theatre and all the volunteers who have helped to present this wonderful show, which runs through Saturday.

GEORGE GRENYO

Wichita

Car wash kindness

On Dec. 8, I took advantage of the sunshine, even if it was a bit chilly, to wash my very dirty car at a car wash on East Harry. As I started to put money in the box, a man appeared nearby.

He said, “Ma’am, you will get all wet. Let me do that.” I answered rather coolly, “Why would you want to do that?” He replied, “You kind of remind me of my mom.” Being a little taken aback (and he already had the hose in hand), I said, “OK.”

He washed my car really well. But when I offered him a couple of bucks, he strongly refused, waved his hand and walked away. What a nice man. Thank you, whoever you are. You brightened my day. Merry Christmas.

DONA MEDLEY

Wichita

Letters to the Editor

Include your full name, home address and phone number for verification purposes. All letters are edited for clarity and length; 200 words or fewer are best. Letters may be published in any format and become the property of The Eagle.